Symbol of the Mockingbird

Symbol of the Mockingbird

1. Idea of the mockingbird

   • Mock=vulnerable, made fun.
     • People are mocked when they are weak..
   • Represents innocence
   • Not a special bird and doesn't try to be one-true to themselves.
   • Unlike other birds, Mockingbirds do not harm anyone or anything.

2. Characters who could be linked to mockery.

   • Bob Ewell mocked Atticus
   • Atticus mocked for defending Tom
   • Miss Maudie mocked for religion
   • Mayella believes she's being mocked by Atticus
     • "Bear with me, Miss Mayella"..."Won't answer a word as long as you keep mockin' me."
   • Boo Radley mocked by all of Maycomb.
   • Francis and Mrs Dubose mocked Atticus.
   • Scout mocked by AA-not behaving lika a lady

3. Atticus Finch

   • "I think maybe he put his gun down when he realised God had given him an unfair advantage over most living things."
     • Doesn't want to harm any innocent living creature.
     • Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should
   • ""he's civilised in his heart"
   • Atticus sees Tom as a Mockingbird that needs to be defended.
   • "it's a sin to kill a Mockingbird"

4. Explicit reference to Mockingbirds

   • "Shoot all the blue jay's you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember, it's a sin to kill a Mockingbird."
   • "Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy."
   • "the atmosphere in the court-room was exactly the same as a cold February morning, when the Mockingbirds were still."
   • "He likened Tom's death to the senseless slaughter of songbirds by hunters and children.-Mr Underwood who is seen to hate the black community.
   • "taking the one man who's done you and this town a great service an' draggin' him with his shy ways into the limelight- to me, that's a sin."
   • "well it'ud sort of be like shootin' a Mockingbird wouldn't it?"

5. Tom Robinson and Boo Radley

   • Shot and killed when vulnerable-trying to escape
   • Kindness to Mayella, trying to help.
   • Innocent of rape but still convicted.
   • Victim of prejudice.
   • Needs protecting-Atticus@lynch mob
   • Shows kindness to Scout+Jem(presents, pants, blanket+saves their lives at his own risk.
   • Innocent of the evil persona he is associated with.
   • Imprisoned, ironically, for the safety of the community by his father.
   • Has nowhere to go "maybe he doesn't have anywhere to run off to..."
   • Both associated with things that they haven't commited.
   • Innocent and vulnerable.

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